On Tuesday 15 January, the Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Arseniy Yatseniuk, held a meeting with Renate Wohlwend and Hanne Severinsen, Co-Rapporteurs of The PACE Committee on the honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of The Council of Europe.
Opening the Meeting, A. Yatseniuk highly praised the level of cooperation between Ukraine and the Council of Europe and its Parliamentary Assembly. 'Underway in Ukraine are unheard of Democratic transformations of the highest standards set by the Council of Europe', he stated.
According to A. Yatseniuk, the early election to The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is a testament to the above, as well as ‘constructive State-level relations' that have been established among Ukraine's Presidency, Government and Parliament.
At the same time, The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized the importance of proceeding with the reform of the Law Enforcement sector, and in particular the Judiciary and Prosecuting system, in line with Democratic standards.
During the Meeting, the parties, inter alia, discussed the issues of Constitutional Reform in Ukraine. A. Yatseniuk expressed his hope that all power branches will work together in a productive manner to implement the said reform. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine advocated that The National Constitutional Council has been set up, pursuant to an Edict of The President of Ukraine, to elaborate on the relevant proposals. At the same time, A. Yatseniuk stressed that amendments to the Principal Law are a 'complex process' and a long-term prospect for Ukraine.
H. Severinsen, in her turn, said that PACE monitoring currently 'includes legislative initiatives, and we no are speaking about optimistic forecasts'.
The matter of reforming the Electoral Legislation of Ukraine was also mentioned. A. Yatseniuk referred to amendments to the Electoral Legislation as being among priorities of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, and aimed at achieving maximum transparency of the electoral process in each and every stage. He believes that the introduction of Open Lists of candidates at election of People's Deputies of Ukraine can contribute to this.
The Discussion touched upon the issue of fulfilment by Ukraine of Rulings by The European Court on Human Rights. The Chairman of The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine emphasized that the issue of ratification of The Council of Europe´s instruments occupy 'a key position in Parliament'.